The station is home to a gift shop, a coffee shop, restrooms accessible for people with disabilities, an ATM, and WiFi. : Unlike with most car transport companies, youll be able to fully load your vehicle up with personal items when using Amtrak car shipping. Amtrak often runs sales on the tickets for the Auto Train. Everything I wanted to know to make an informed decision. Once your cars checked in, you cant access it until your destination. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Motorcycles must have at least 5 inches of ground clearance. https://www.pettravel.com/pet-travel-train.cfm. Taking the Amtrak auto train to Florida from the northeast is an option for traveling to the Sunshine State. Our cabin attendant, Keith, was very pleasant asking when would be a good time for our turn-down service and answering general questions about the journey. If you have a ticket for your vehicle to travel on the Auto Train, the vehicle ticket will have the same refund policy as your associated passenger ticket. Auto shipping providers rarely allow people to move valuables in their cars, and a traveler who drives may have a tight squeeze when their vehicle is filled to the brim. While the best car shipping companies offer quality services and efficient transport, drivers often wonder whether Amtrak car shipping could work equally well. All of these vehicle transport options hold strong reputations and can move your car nearly anywhere across the country. Amtrak car shipping comes with extremely straightforward prices. We were looking to take the train to Florida my mother is 93 is on oxygen. If you dont like driving on the interstate the Auto Train is a great option. The cost to purchase priority offloading is $60 and can be purchased when you buy the ticket for your vehicle. , Alaska, Puerto Rico, and international locations. Hi, Barbara: The vehicles are unloaded at your destination, with thirty available priority vehicles coming off first. Yes, but Amtrak car shipping is only available between Orlando, Florida, and Washington, D.C. For any other routes, youll need to look at other car shipping options. For more information read our privacy policy. The reason is so each individual in a couple can sleep on a lower bed. Other Amenities Include: Bring snacks. The maximum tire width is 14.5 inches and the vehicle must have at least 4 inches of ground clearance. The Guides Auto Team is committed to providing reliable information to help you make the best possible decision about shipping your vehicle. Note that you are actually required to bring a vehicle in order to ride the Auto Train. Vehicle fees make up a significant portion of the fare. The price was a reasonable $8.00. Even though the Auto Train goes through Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, you cannot get off in these states. Bedrooms Train routes, train tickets, schedules and fares | TrainBuster Here are the factors our ratings take into account: Copyright 2023 MarketWatch, Inc. All rights reserved. Passengers are not allowed to bring pets on the Amtrak Auto Train. In addition to booking way ahead, different seasons and holidays affects how much you'll pay for a Superliner Bedroom. Value Fare tickets: No change fees and fully refundable up to 15 or more days before departure. The final option is a bedroom which is twice the size of a roomette with in-room bathroom, sink and shower. The Auto Train departs each station at 4 p.m. and arrives the next day around 9 a.m. Obviously, this isnt an ideal route for everyone who wants to ship a car. Neck Pillow- Comfy, plus it folds up for easy storage. On the day of your departure, check-in begins at 12:30 pm. I do hope you subscribe and maybe travel with us in the future. What are YOUR thoughts on the Amtrak auto train to Florida? Six Ways to Enjoy America's National Parks by Train These Are the 12 Most Scenic Train Routes in the U.S. How Much Luggage You Can Bring on Trains: A Complete Guide. There are daily, nonstop trips in both directions. Just to be on the safe side, being on line at 1:30 to load your car, would mean you wont have to wait so long to receive it on the other end. It leaves Lorton at 5 PM and arrives in Sanford by 10 AM and vice versa. An email with password reset instructions is on the way. How much will Brightline train tickets cost? Its probably still a viable choice if youre headed to a final destination farther south in Florida such as Miami or Tampa, though. Amtrak Car Shipping: How To Use the Auto Train - MarketWatch That way the folks in the roomette can use the bedroom shower and bathroom. Amtrak offers car transport between Washington, D.C., and Orlando, Florida, via the Auto Train. Prices range from $150 to $300 per vehicle. It keeps the noise out and provides privacy. The observation car on the Auto train can be used by all passengers. To ship an operable 2021 Toyota RAV4 from the D.C. area to Orlando using open transport, we received quotes ranging from $829 to $975. Are Medical Alert Systems Covered by Insurance? Are there power outlets or USB plugs on the train? The first is coach. This is the most economical option and doable for the almost 18 hour ride but you are still sitting all this time so, if you can afford it, upgrade. Well youre in luck as Amtrak Auto Train offers extra legroom seating. Auto Train tickets usually cost $89 for coach class, one way. Again perfunctory and fit for purpose. To use Amtrak car shipping, youre required to purchase a passenger ticket and ride the train as well. Leave your key in your unlocked car. Its also a great option if you are someone who doesnt enjoy driving long distances, or if your traveling party needs the extra space. Instead, an eTicket is sent to you by email when you make your reservation. Only the early bird discount, which applies if you schedule a shipment within 48 hours of receiving a shipping quote, can be stacked with other offers. This means that you could face higher auto transport rates. There is no checked baggage with the Auto Train. Subscribe for exclusive city guides, travel videos, trip giveaways and more! Strong reputation, customer satisfaction, and industry ratings, No real-time tracking or mobile-app; must contact company for tracking info, No specialty shipping services for recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, trailers, or other watercraft. Unlike other Amtrak routes where no animals are allowed on any route thats longer than seven hours, service animals are allowed on the Auto Train. That said, Amtrak car shipping might be worthwhile if youre trying to get your car from Washington, D.C., Baltimore, or Philadelphia to Orlando and locations farther south. Traveling by train takes the hassle out of traveling up and down the East Coast. Amtraks Auto Train takes slightly more than 17 hours to complete its journey. The standard one-way rates for Amtrak Auto Train vehicle shipping are $285 per vehicle for standard cars and $325 per vehicle for trucks or larger SUVs. Happy travels! While this route is popular among snowbirds, it means most Americans wont be able to take advantage of Amtrak car shipping. We use cookies for analytics tracking and advertising from our partners. While Amtrak car shipping offers exceptional rates for rail transport, drivers can also find affordable pricing when they choose AmeriFreight due to its impressive array of discounts. Extended Vehicles. From there, youll ride the train until it reaches your destination. travelswithtalek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and may receive commissions through purchases made through each link at no cost to you. Its a difficult question to answer, as Amtraks Auto Train provides affordable transport for a very specific group of drivers. I know you will enjoy it. Otherwise, transporting . . The number you were given when you checked in will be called when your car is ready. The maximum height is 85 inches; the maximum width is 84 inches, including mirrors. It has private bathroom and shower. Will you go coach or sleeper accommodation? Amtrak Auto Train provides snacks to satisfy your hunger during your travels. A magnetic number plate is attached to the driver-side door of your vehicle and it is video graphed against damage claims. Sure, a flight would be quicker, but the Amtrak Auto Train allows people to bring along their vehicles without having to physically drive that far. Outside are benches and an enclosed childrens play area. To determine our cost score, we perform a secret shopper analysis for a variety of vehicles and routes. In addition to 24-hour assistance during your trip and coverage for lost or damaged baggage, trip protection can help you get your money back in case you need to cancel or change your trip. Were riding back to Lorton in a 1-br. On the upper level, you have better views of the countryside, more seating, and youre on the same level as the caf car. When you're ready, use the search tool to find the availability and best prices for each travel date. AmeriFreight is a leading car shipping broker that partners with over 10,000 car carriers to deliver a wide range of auto transport services. : Amtrak allows you to load up your vehicle with personal possessions before its loaded onto the hauler. Use the following steps to take advantage of Amtrak car shipping services: While Amtrak vehicle shipping can be pretty simple, make sure to follow the rules above. We go back and forth from New York to Miami every once in a while and the driving can be exhausting. However, the companys Auto Train service combines cheap car shipping with relaxing passenger train travel. For a limited time, customers can experience the Auto Train in a private room for as low as $129 or Coach for as low as $29 - plus the cost of your vehicle. Montway Auto Transport can get vehicles to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and even to international destinations. Even if you opt for higher-end accommodations, you could find outstanding rates for. Children (one child, two to 12, is half price with each adult), and seniors, students, military, and people with disabilities receive discounts on base fare (not sleepers). Dont schedule your arrival for the same day as a cruise departure or big event. And remember, drivers must ride the Auto Train themselves for their cars to be eligible for the trip. # $ % & ' ( ) * + , - . The museum is very well curated and interesting. Learn more about the Auto Train experience. How much does the Amtrak Auto Train cost? I did a bit of research, and this is what I came up with. : This score is based on customer satisfaction ratings and availability of extras like GPS tracking. To give you a rough idea of typical fares, for November 2020 Amtrak was quoting a round-trip price in coach of about $800 for two adults with one child and one standard-size car. : Youll need to purchase a passenger ticket as well to reserve a space for your vehicle on the Auto Train. For customers seeking plenty of comfort and room, Bedrooms provide twice the space as a Roomette and feature a sofa and armchair by day and upper and lower berths by night. from the BBB and receives 4.9 stars out of 5.0 on the platform. Wanderu is the best place to score cheap Amtrak Auto Train tickets with the lowest available fares every day. Each one-way trip takes 17.5 hours in total. Remember the journey is over 17 hours. Amtrak car shipping is an easy way to get vehicles from Washington, D.C., to Florida. We recommend using Amtrak to send your vehicle to Florida using a train. This is especially true if youre willing to drive to the terminal from cities like Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia or New York. You can generally find one or two sockets per row of seats, so be a good traveller and check if your seat neighbor might want to charge up their devices as well. Privacy Notice, and However, if this train route suits your auto transport needs, youll likely find that Amtrak car shipping can be an affordable and enjoyable experience. Youre out of luck if your origin and destination locations are outside of the Northeast or Florida. Does Amtrak list food ingredients for those of us with allergies? To cancel or change your booking online, simply go to www.Amtrak.com and click on the Modify Trip tab in the upper right corner. Bedroom. An even bigger landscape window 2x the space of a Roomette. There are two daily trains, one headed in each direction, that follow this schedule: Can you pick up will call tickets at the station? Climbing into that top bunk is tricky when you are 70+. Is it really cheaper to take the train? They also are required to carry comprehensive cargo insurance, meaning your vehicle will be protected from damages that could occur during shipping. From what you are telling me the best option would be a family room. The roomette has a sliding door that closes pretty tightly. Amtraks Auto Train offers fast and affordable rail service, but its only available on a single line that runs from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida. To simplify and safeguard the travel experience, several cleaning, contact-free and . On the other hand, you have to navigate a steep stairway with two tight 90-degree turns. Check-In by 3:00 pm (no exceptions) Maximum length: 216 inches (18 feet) Maximum height: 85 inches. Additionally, youll avoid the stress and wear and tear that comes with driving yourself. Shipping a car by train may seem like a solid choice, but no other rail companies regularly transport individual vehicles in a manner similar to Amtraks Auto Train. Hi, Mary. On the other end, it takes another good chunk of time to unload all the cars. Amtrak's Auto Train is one of the cheapest ways to ship a car across the country, as long as the travel is along the Eastern Seaboard. Ditch the driving on I-95 and settle in on the Auto Train with a good book, stream a movie on your tablet or grab a bite to eat in the caf. While pets are permitted on most Amtrak routes in coach class, the Auto Train is not one of them. Note that prices for roomettes and bedrooms include meals and coffee. If I get a bedroom can I bring him with me?? It is an enjoyable trip. Washington DC is only 30 minutes away. Amtrak Auto Train: 12 Things You Need To Know Before Riding I have a 14 pound pup. Even after factoring in the cost of passenger tickets, Amtrak car shipping costs are often far lower than prices from leading auto transport companies. Read the FAQs on this page to learn more about how the Auto Train works. Boston Amtrak stations: Which station is best? Arrive early, as no vehicles will be loaded onto the train after 2:30 p.m. , with the Auto Train leaving each station at 4 p.m. and arriving at its destination around 9 a.m. the next day. For travelers who need to bring their car, the Auto Train helps save approximately 900 miles of driving between DC and Florida. It is meant to provide service between the greater Washington D.C. and Orlando areas. The pricing is dynamic and increases as the cars fill and the departure date nears. Because consumers rely on us to provide objective and accurate information, we created a comprehensive rating system to formulate our rankings of the best car shipping companies. Also, is there a door to close in the roomette so that we wouldnt be sharing air with an occupied roomette across the aisle from us? Yes, there are power outlets on the Auto Train. When you board Amtraks Auto Train, youre doing something unique that happens on no other train within the Amtrak system. Our team of experts looks at the types of services available, as well as insurance coverage and the ability to guarantee pickup and drop-off dates. The complex also houses the Lucy Burns Suffragist Museum that tells the story of how women fought for the right to vote. Coach class seating is a two-and-two configuration and each seat pair has a two-plug outlet under the window for your electronics. * Only dogs and cats are allowed to travel as pets. Amtrak charges the following one-way rates for the Auto Train: Remember that youll also need to purchase a passenger ticket on top of the fares listed above. Jalopnik Advisor content is free to consumers and always will be, however we and our partners may be compensated if you purchase a product or service through the links on this website. Amtrak Guide makes rail travel easier with helpful information on riding trains and the many destinations you can reach across the United States. Maximum width: 84 inches, including mirrors. Ive subscribed to your newsletter. Prices will go up as the train fills up, so as soon as you know your plans you should buy your tickets.
